Minister welcomes arrest and prosecution of poachers

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has welcomed the arrest and prosecution of six men for rhino poaching.

Police said earlier, that five of the six men arrested for poaching two rhino in Limpopo over the Easter weekend would remain in jail until their next court appearance.

Molewa's office says the handing down of stiffer sentences to poachers and the seizure of assets of poaching accused, should serve as a message to potential poachers that everything possible will be done to ensure the protection of South Africa's rhino population.

Police arrested two men in Naboomspruit and seized an AK-47 assault rifle.

Further investigation resulted in another four arrests in Soshanguve, north west of Pretoria.